HC Deb 22 March 1996 vol 274 cc350-2W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the current cost to public funds of increasing the 25p addition for pensioners over 80 years old by whichever was the highest of either earnings or prices since its introduction; and what would be its cost if its current value were increased by (a) 50p, (b) £1 and (c) £1.50. [22482]

Mr. Heald

The cost to public funds of increasing the age addition by the higher of earnings or prices is estimated to be £310 million.

The other costs are as follows:

  1. (a) £40 million.
  2. (b) £90 million.
  3. (c) £130 million.

Note:

All costs are in 1996–7 prices, rounded to nearest £10 million.

Source:

Government Actuary's Department.

Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of paying from public funds the full cost of all standing charges for telephones, domestic electricity and gas bills, and water charges, for (i) all pensioners, (ii) pensioners on income support, (iii) pensioners over 75 years and (iv) pensioners over 80 years. [22483]

Mr. Heald

The estimated cost to the public funds of subsidising the full cost of all standing charges for telephones, domestic electricity and gas bills per annum is:

  1. (i) £990 million
  2. (ii) £260 million
  3. (iii) £440 million and
  4. (iv) £230 million.

Information is not available on water charges.

Notes:

1. Information for (i), (iii) and (iv) is based on pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over state pension age or a couple where the husband, or head is over SPA. The number of pensioner units in the various age groups and the proportion of pensioner units with utilities is taken from the Family Expenditure Survey 1993.

2. The number of pensioners on income support (ii) is based on the May 1995 Quarterly Statistical Enquiry and, therefore, a pensioner on income support is defined as those over the age of 60.

3. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million and are in 1995–96 prices.

Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the value of the Christmas bonus for(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples if it has been uprated in line with the higher of either earnings or prices, since its introduction; and what would be the cost to public funds if its current value was increased by (i) £5, (ii) £10 and (iii) £15 for (1) single pensioners and (2) pensioner couples. [22480]

Mr. Heald

The £10 Christmas bonus, introduced in 1972, is paid to individuals entitled to a qualifying benefit. If it had been uprated by the higher of earnings or prices since its introduction, it would be £120.20 at December 1996. The estimated cost to public funds of increasing the bonus by(a) £5, (b) £10 and (c) £15 would be (i) £50 million, (ii) £100 million, and (iii) £150 million respectively.

Notes

  1. 1. Estimated cost to public funds based on increasing the bonus for recipients of retirement pensions only.
  2. 2. Figures rounded to nearest £10 million.

Source:

Government Actuary's Department.